Rory Gallagher's gear: the key guitars, amps and effects

The Irish bluesman's rig in pictures

Introduction

Kicking off our new Career In Gear regular, we examine the guitars, amps and effects that became synonymous with Irish blues legend Rory Gallagher.

A supremely soulful guitarist who played with headlong, ecstatic energy, it’s little wonder Rory Gallagher is remembered with such enduring affection. Now, on the 40th anniversary of his solo career, we look at the iconic guitar rigs that gave his tone wings…

Vox AC30 Top Boost amplifier (back)

Vox AC30 Top Boost amplifier

Comments: Rory’s best known amplifier was a remnant from his days in Irish power trio Taste. The guitarist created his searing signature tone by driving the amp hard and using his guitar volume to control his sound. The reverse of the amp bears marks of decades on tour.

1961 Fender Stratocaster guitar

1961 Fender Stratocaster guitar

Comments: Bought on credit from Crowley’s Music Store in Cork in 1963 for £100, this is the guitar that formed the bedrock of Rory’s sound and became synonymous with the bluesman. It was also possibly the first Fender Stratocaster to reach Ireland.

1966 Fender Telecaster guitar

1966 Fender Telecaster guitar

Comments: Rory’s go-to slide guitar during the first few years of his solo career due to its sharp tonal qualities. There’s a ’66 marking on the neck, but some sources have it as a ’67 model. He always paired it with a half-fingered brass slide.

1958 Fender Stratocaster guitar

1958 Fender Stratocaster guitar

Comments: Featuring an unusual three-tone sunburst finish, Rory used his 1958 Strat on some US tours around 1972. According to Rory’s brother, there’s a slim possibility it once belonged to Buddy Holly

Danelectro 3021 shorthorn guitar (and Fender Twin amplifier)

Danelectro 3021 shorthorn guitar (and Fender Twin amplifier)

Comments: A studio-only instrument, this Danelectro was used to record A Million Miles Away and Cradle Rock on 1973’s Tattoo album. Both would become live favourites, but Rory didn’t opt to use the Dano onstage.

Fender Twin amplifier

Fender Twin amplifier

Comments: With the addition of Lou Martin on keyboards to Rory’s band in 1973, the guitarist looked for an amp that would work better within the group’s fuller sound and began to favour Fender combos, such as this Fender Twin, which became a studio favourite. The amp has a very early serial number (0070), so Rory was cautious about taking it on the road.

Comments: Rory used the National resonator (left) for some thrilling slide work on his cover of Tony Joe White’s As The Crow Flies on the much-loved Irish Tour ’74 album. Likewise, the Esquire (right) also began to find favour around that time, again for slide work.